National Legal Services Day

Why in the news?

• National Legal Services Day is celebrated every year on 9 November.

National Legal Services Day:

• Its objective:
  • To increase awareness about legal rights and responsibilities
  • To empower every citizen to get justice in a fair and respectful manner
• The celebration of this day was first started in 1995 by the Supreme Court of India to provide help and support to the poor and weaker sections of the society.
  • These services are provided by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA)

• NALSA was constituted in the year 1995 under the Legal Services Authority Act, 1987.
• Its headquarters is in New Delhi.
• There has been a tradition of appointing the second senior-most judge of the Supreme Court to the post of Executive Chairman of NALSA.
• The Chief Justice of India (CJI) is the Chief Patron of NALSA.
• The President, in consultation with the CJI, appoints a serving or retired judge of the Supreme Court as the Executive Chairperson of NALSA.

Constitutional Provisions of Legal Services:

• Article 39A of the Constitution provides for free legal aid to the poor and weaker sections of the society to promote justice on the basis of equality of opportunity.